Islands gain TETRA network

Teltronic and Sampol have been awarded the contract to build for the supply and installation of an emergency and security network to cover the Balearic Islands: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

The emergency communications network based on TETRA technology is called TETRAib and will be run by the government-owned company Multimedia Illes Balears SAU, dependent on the Department of Technology and Communications of the Balearic Islands Government.

The implementation of the TETRAib communications network involves an investment of over $54 million. 70% coverage was due to be achieved in June with almost complete territorial coverage in December.

The network is designed to handle more than 3000 users from the full range of emergency services and local, island and autonomous government entities that will now share a common network.

Teltronic's TETRA network (NEBULA) is made up of 36 base stations, covering the islands of Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. It will operate in the emergency frequency band of 380-400 MHz, reaching over 95% geographical coverage.

All base stations are being connected via TCP-IP; all critical network elements are being duplicated to guarantee continued service, encryption is available as well as the possibility of recording all voice communications.

TETRAib also gives its users access to a number of other services that TETRA can offer. As well as the standard voice call capabilities - group calls, individual calls, emergency call, full-duplex call etc - a wide range of data services is now possible over the network. GPS in mobile and handheld radios, virtual private network (VPN) functionality, dynamic groups and the possibility of interconnection with public networks and advanced network management and monitoring services will be available.